I know. Ash being sorry he sent them packing -- my jaw dropped at that, actually.
I said what I said on the miscommunication. The writers just couldn't have tried harder to have the brats say to the Rockets, "hey! Charade over"? So, they wrote themselves into a hole, and big deal, and write out of it. The ending screamed lazy, but what do you expect after the Whirl Cup hoopla?
Anyway, one item I forgot was James and his elaborating on his rose. I think that's the only time they bothered to explained why he carries it (besides knocking on Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon). How it signifies the blood of all humanity, and all that. I love his poetic side and his comedic one.
"I'll fight with whatever I got... or, at least, give it my best shot."
Say what you will with 4Kids, but they knew how to use the Rockets to spice up a scene.